Abstract
We report the first measurement of the dynamics of bubble formation in double-stranded DNA. Fluctuations of fluorescence of a synthetic DNA construct, internally tagged with a fluorophore and a quencher, are monitored by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The relaxation dynamics follow a multistate relaxation kinetics, with a characteristic time scale of [Formula presented]. A simple model of bubble dynamics based on constant zipping-unzipping rates is proposed to account for our experimental data. The role of different secondary structures stabilizing the open bubble is tested.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 13 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2003 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy